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Not in Australia's most optimistic hopes could they have believed they would be 2-0 up in the current Ashes series after playing a mere six days of play.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test in Perth, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of confidence going into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a masterclass on playing Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I gained an intimate view of England's approach throughout the last Ashes series on English soil. Despite all the discussion about this tour being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, there was a lot of scepticism among Australian pundits about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and discover methods to lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted of the big moments?

At present, all of the Australian observers who expressed doubts regarding England are seeing their views validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes compete fearlessly, as this enables them push the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other to account.

"Yes, there were the coaches such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the captain and senior players who invariably managed the team environment."

Even as a newcomer, I believed I was allowed to have my say. Every player assumed ownership of the team.

Then, if someone stepped out from the standard, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

Our team contained some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we had for each other, such was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability all came together when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Certainly, these factors are easier when a team secures victories, a scenario England are not doing right now.

Examining the Approach

My concern for England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It seemed that England had concluded conditions had to adapt to them, instead of England adapting their strategy to suit the conditions.

Ultimately, following the result of the defeat at the Gabba, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Both Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they need to do something about it.

I have no problems with the statements the English leadership said in public after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright publicly, you can guarantee they have been even more even stronger in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Might we witness a new version of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I support the element of playing fearlessly. If England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still possess to something.

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

Had England had been told they would face an Australia team lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with glee.

Nevertheless, Australia pulled off victory at the Gabba with each of their other players standing up.

Key Performers for Australia

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been exceptionally brilliant, ably assisted by Neser, Scott Boland and Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I shared a dressing room with Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant revelation from an Australian perspective is the change within the top order.

Prior to the contest, when it appeared there was considerable discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I stated there was only really one question concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That discussion is now resolved, simply not in a way anyone expected.

Settling the Order

From the moment Travis Head stuck his hand up to open when Khawaja got hurt during the Perth Test, Australia has appeared like a different team. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja might find it tough to regain his place, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will result in England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the remainder of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I understand how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to play a full part in this contest. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will provide a good pitch, offering something for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to captain the side.

Closing Thoughts

Australia recalls how England came from 2-0 down to level the previous series. They will know England are dangerous.

On this occasion, they hold England in a stranglehold and must not relent just because key players are returning. They cannot get complacent.

An Australian side must always believe it can win every Test it plays, therefore this squad should be thinking about winning 5-0.

England understands they have no choice to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.